Roadbed for model railroads



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United States Patent ROADBED FOR MODEL RAILROADS Richard S. Bittles, Detroit, Miclr., assignor to Mary Jane Bittles, Dearborn, Mich.

Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 405,910

2 Claims. (Cl. 238-) This invention relates to model railroads and, more particularly, to an improved roadbed for the tracks of model railroads. An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages in prior devices of the indicated character and to provide an improved model railroad roadbed incorporating improved means forsupporting the tracks and which enables the tracks to be easily and quickly mounted on and removed from the roadbed with a minimum of time and efiort.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved model railroad roadbecl incorporating improved means for preventing offensive vibration and noise and improved means for maintaining the tracks in aligned relationship and substantially preventing the tracks from becoming misaligned or disconnected during the operation of the model trains.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved model railroad roadbed incorporating improved means which facilitates mounting the tracks on the roadbed with a minimum of time, labor and expense and without the use of screws, rivets or similar fastening devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved model railroad roadbed that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, durable, and reliable in operation.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a model railroad roadbed constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and showing a plurality of tracks in installed relationship with respect thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view with portions in section of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken on the line 3-3 thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a model railroad roadbed constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a model railroad track, generally designated 1%, is illustrated of the type embodying three rails, although it is understood that the present invention is applicable to other uses. A model railroad track of the type illustrated includes a plurality of sections, such as 17-, 14 and 16 each of which is comprised of three, elongate. spaced, substantially parallel rails 18, 20 and 22- that be substantially straight or curved. A plurality of spaced support members 24 are provided, one support member 24 being positioned near, but spaced from, each end of each section of track while another support member is positioned adjacent the central portion of each section. The support members 24 are each generally U-shaped in cross section, as viewed in Fig. 2, and include spaced substantially parallel flange portions 26 and 28 integrally 2,854,195 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 joined by a web portion 30 so as to define a recess 31. The rails 18, 20 and 22 are fixed to the web portion 30 of each of the support members 24 as by tabs 32 which are struck outwardly from the web portion 30 and bear against the lower portion of each of the rails to secure the rails to the support members. The details of the track sections form no part of the present invention, the track sections 12, 14 and 16 being shown merely to typify an important use of the invention.

According to the present invention a roadbed, generally designated 34, is provided upon which the tracks 10 may be mounted. The roadbed 34 is comprised of an elongate base 36 which is preferably of substantially the same length as the track sections and the lower surface 38 of which is preferably flat. The base 36 is preferably made of a resilient but relatively rigid material such as rubber, wood or other suitable material. While in the preferred embodiments illustrated, the exposed surfaces of the base are shown as being relatively smooth, it will be understood that such surfaces may be configured or altered in shape to suit the wishes of the designer, as for example, such surfaces may be configured to simulate gravel. If desired, the longitudinal edges of the base 36 may be beveled, as at 40.

A plurality of elongate, spaced substantially parallel cross pieces 42, 44, 46, 43 and 50 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 36, as viewed in Fig. 2, and extend transversely thereof for substantially the entire width of the base. in the preferred embodiments illustrated, the cross pieces are shown as being formed integrally with the base 46 but it will be understood that the cross pieces may be fixed to the base in any desired or conventional manner, as with an adhesive. The cross pieces are formed of a resilient material, preferably a material such as rubher having a high compression set. The end cross pieces 42 and 5t) and the centrally disposed cross piece 46 are of such a size that when they are compressed, they snugly fit the recess 31 defined by each of the support members 24 and grip the flange portions 26 and 28 to secure the track sections to the roadbed. The cross pieces 42, 46 and 50 also bear against the web portion 30 and resiliently support each support member 24. The upper surfaces of the cross pieces 44 and 48 terminate in outwardly spaced relationship with respect to the outer ends of the cross pieces .2, 46 and 50 so as to bear against the lower surfaces of each of the rails 18, 20 and 22 to provide further resilient support for the track sections. Each of the track sections may be mounted on the roadbed by aligning the support members 24 with the cross pieces and pressing the track sections and roadbed sections together so that the cross pieces 42, 46 and 50 are compressed in the recesses 31 and resiliently grip the support members 24 to secure the track sections to the roadbed while the cross pieces 44 and 48 resiliently support the rails of each section of track. Such a construction reduces the vibration and noise when the model trains are operated and facilitates the mounting of the tracks with a minimum of time and effort and without the use of screws, nails, rivets, or similar fastening devices.

For the purpose of releasably connecting each section of roadbed to the adjacent section of roadbed, a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced tabs 54 and 56 are provided on one end portion of each section of roadbed, each tab having an upwardly projecting tang 58 on the outer end thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2. The tabs 54 and 56 are adapted to fit in recessed portions 60 and 61 provided on the end portion of the adjacent section of roadbed and the tangs 38 are adapted to fit in apertures 62. Such a construction substantially prevents longitudinal and lateral movement of the roadbed sections relative to each other. Since the track 10 is held by the during the operation of the train.

serves to maintain the track sections in aligned relationship when the model train is" operated and substantially prevents the track sections from becoming disconnected 'r e lj' tlirrient O'f'th e' invention is illustrated Fig;- 4 and includes the base 36 and the cross pieces 42, 44, 46, 4 8 and 5 0111 of Whi'c'har'e constructed in the previbuslydes'cribed. 111' this embodiment of invention, however, a generally keyhole-shaped pramash 64- is provided which" is ormedintegrally with the base 36 and eir'teiids' outwardly from one end thereof. The projection 64 is adapted to snugly fit a similarly shaped opening 66 provided in the end portion ofthe adjacent Section to niaiififaiu the ro adbed Sections in aligned relationship and'to substantially prevent loiigi'thdi nail and lateral movement of the sections relative to each other.

wane preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes arid modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1 A roadbed for model railroad tracks; said tracks a including a plurality of elongate rails and a plurality of the upper surfaces of the remaining cros'spiece s being substantially coplanar and lying in a plane intermediate the plane of said upper surfaces" of satin alternate pieces and said upper surface of said base, said remaining crosspieces being adapted to fit in the recesses defined by said support members and yieldably grip said support members. 7

2. In combination with a model railroad track including a plurality of elongate rails and a plurality of spaced transversely extending supportmembers each" defining an open bottom recess, a model roadbed comprising an'elongate base, a plurality of spaced fsililif crosspiecs fixed to the upper surface of said base and extending transversely ofsaid base for substantially the entire width thereof and being disposed entirely above said upper surface of said base, the upper surfaces of alternate crosspieces being substantially coplanar and bearing against the lower surfaces of said rails, the upper surfaces of the remaining crosspieces being substantially coplanar and lying ma plaiie" intermediate the plane of said upper sur faces of said alternate 'erosspieces' and said upper surface of said base, said remaining crosspieces being'fi'fted the recesses defined by said support members and yieldabl gripping said support members. j

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,547,586 a Lore ,Apr. '3 i931 2,637,501 'Joyce' Mag *5, 195 3 2,665,848 Smith'et a1 Jan. 12,1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 734,948 rance 'Au'g. 1'3, 1932 

